Teacher Certification

Here are some reasons why teachers say they choose this noblest of professions:

Make a difference in the life of a child

Ability to give endless possibilities for success

Reap daily rewards of joy

Opportunities to lead

Build stronger communities

Share a passion for learning

Take it from one of Oklahoma's best teachers:

"Teaching is one of the most challenging careers, yet it is one of the most important professions. Being a teacher is about making positive, lasting impressions and indelible marks. Creating the foundation for my students that will build the rest of their lives upon is an honor. Without teachers, there would be no other profession."-Mara RichardsDurant Middle School2014 Oklahoma Teacher of the Year finalist

Guidance

Effective April 1, 2018, the $59 fee for the certification and employment background checks will be reduced to $53.94. Please continue to make check payable to Morphotrust USA. If you have any questions, contact 405-521-3337 to be transferred to fingerprinting office. Please note, we will still offer the $45 OSBI background check option. Please check with your school district to see which option they prefer you to use.

New background check rule for the dual results policy-Effective July 1st, 2017

Senate Bill 29 alleviates the fingerprinting process for new school district employees that meet the following criteria...; "provided that a board of education shall not be required to obtain a new criminal history record check for an individual who has obtained certification from the State Department of Education within the previous twelve (12) months."

What this means:

A school district that hires a new employee who has been certified for the first time in Oklahoma within 12 months of their hire date does not have to conduct a new background check on the employee.

Furthermore, as of July 1, 2017, the Oklahoma State Department of Education will no longer be allowed to disseminate the results of certification background checks to public school districts (commonly referred to as dual results) except for the following conditions; if the applicant wishes to be fingerprinted for both certification and employment, this must be made known at the time they are fingerprinted. The applicant must provide a completed Application for National Criminal History Record Check along with their fingerprints. This process can only be completed by visiting the Department of Education in person or by mailing in fingerprint cards with this completed National Criminal History Record Check form from the district.

In December 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law, replacing the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). As a result of this action, Oklahoma has been afforded a transition year for the 2016-17 school year while ESSA guidelines are established. Please follow the links below for guidance on how regular education and special education teaching assignments should be made for this school year.